A tossed off comment from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson about belching cows has put work by clever Kiwi scientists onto the world stage at COP26.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes an address to mark the opening day of COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland on 1 November, 2021. Photo: Alberto Pezzali / POOL / AFP
It was a characteristically florid speech from Johnson, who is also the COP26 host.
Amid apocalyptic warnings about the cost of inaction on climate change, there was a sweet shout-out to some New Zealand scientists.
"Two weeks from now, smoke stacks will still belch in industrial heartlands, cows will still belch in their pastures even if some brilliant Kiwi scientists are teaching them how to be more polite."
It may have been off the cuff, but it has delighted Kiwi researcher Lindsay Matthews, who is part of an international group of scientists teaching cows more polite bathroom habits.
They are toilet training them so the urine, and the nitrogen it contains, can be captured.
"Well I think that's wonderful that he's recognised some brilliant Kiwi science, so yeah that's a big win."
But New Zealand is an innovator in emissions from both ends of the cow.
The Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre in Palmerston North is conducting a range of experiments to slash methane from burping cows.
The centre's director, Harry Clark, said the attention was pleasing.
"It really is always lovely that your work is recognised, and I think we've got to thank successive New Zealand governments for their foresight."
Clark said the work could slash emissions from individual animals by more than 30 percent - which was welcome given New Zealand's goal to nearly halve methane by 2050.
